Can GTI Energy’s Lo Herma Uranium Project Redefine ISR Extraction Standards?

Highlights 

• GTI Energy Ltd (ASX:GTR) reports successful agitation leach studies for the Lo Herma ISR Uranium Project, achieving recoveries of approximately 75%. 
• Hydrogeological testing is progressing with permeability test results to contribute to the ongoing scoping study, expected in 2025. 
• Alkaline in-situ leach methods utilized are consistent with practices in Wyoming’s Southern Powder River Basin. 

The uranium exploration and extraction sector has increasingly focused on environmentally sustainable and efficient recovery methods. In this context, GTI Energy Ltd (ASX:GTR) has advanced its Lo Herma In-Situ Recovery (ISR) Uranium Project, located in the Southern Powder River Basin of Wyoming, USA. The company has reported positive results from agitation leach studies, confirming the viability of alkaline leaching processes. 

Positive Agitation Leach Results 

GTI Energy (ASX:GTR) reported that agitation leach studies demonstrated that mineralisation at the Lo Herma Project is amenable to the alkaline ISR process. These tests revealed uranium recovery rates of approximately 75%, aligning with performance levels of similar projects in the region. The Southern Powder River Basin is well-known for its productive ISR uranium deposits, and these findings position the Lo Herma Project among other successful operations. 

The testing was conducted by specialist consultants R and D Enterprises (RDE) in collaboration with Pace Analytical (PA), using core samples from the project. The leaching process employed a reagent solution fortified with sodium bicarbonate and hydrogen peroxide, consistent with conventional ISR chemistry in the region. Peak uranium grades of 200 mg/L were recorded, with average grades around 45 mg/L. 

Advancing the Scoping Study 

The leach test results, combined with ongoing permeability testing, will form critical inputs for the scoping study currently underway. This study aims to establish the technical and economic parameters of the Lo Herma Project and is expected to be completed by the first half of 2025. 

GTI Energy (ASX:GTR) emphasized the importance of these studies in validating the resource potential at Lo Herma. Recent resource upgrades have highlighted a 50% increase in the uranium resource estimate to 8.57 million pounds, further underlining the project's significance in the region. 

Hydrogeological Testing and Core Analysis 

To complement the leach studies, GTI Energy (ASX:GTR) has completed the drilling of three groundwater monitoring wells. These wells facilitate hydrogeological testing, a critical aspect of assessing the project's feasibility. Core material recovered from the drilling has been submitted for permeability analysis, which will further refine the scoping study's parameters. 

Hydrogeological studies are essential in ISR projects, as they determine the movement and containment of lixiviants within the ore body. Results from these tests will contribute to optimizing the ISR process for the Lo Herma Project. 

Testing Methodology 

Core composites from the project were subjected to bicarbonate-based agitation leach testing. The testing protocol involved reagent solutions designed to simulate real-world ISR operations. The lixiviants utilized sodium bicarbonate and hydrogen peroxide, reagents widely used in ISR uranium extraction within the Southern Powder River Basin. 

The tests involved repeated cycles of lixiviant exchange, simulating the pore volumes required for resource recovery. The uranium recovery rates ranged between 70% and 80%, demonstrating the efficiency of the leaching process. Additionally, other elements such as calcium, sulfate, arsenic, and selenium were marginally solubilized but remained within expected levels for ISR operations in the district. 

Implications for Lo Herma Project 

The successful results from agitation leach studies reinforce the viability of the Lo Herma Project as a competitive ISR uranium operation. These findings, combined with the ongoing hydrogeological and permeability analyses, indicate the project’s alignment with industry standards for efficient and environmentally responsible uranium recovery. 

The Southern Powder River Basin has a rich history of uranium production, and the Lo Herma Project adds to the region's legacy. With a scoping study underway and promising results from metallurgical and hydrogeological testing, the project demonstrates strong potential as a key contributor to uranium supply in Wyoming. 

GTI Energy (ASX:GTR)'s continued focus on systematic exploration and testing reflects a commitment to advancing resource development in line with modern ISR extraction techniques. The Lo Herma Project represents an important asset within the company’s portfolio, supporting efforts to meet the growing global demand for uranium.